Mekelle, February 15, 2025 (Tigray Herald)
Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf wins African Union chairperson election.
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has been elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) after securing 33 votes in the final round, clinching victory in a closely contested race at the ongoing AU 38th Ordinary Summit in Addis Abeba.
The election saw a tight battle between Kenya and Djibouti. In the first round, Kenya’s Raila Odinga led with 20 votes, followed by Youssouf with 18 votes, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato with 10 votes.
In the second round, Youssouf surged ahead with 25 votes, while Odinga secured 21. Two countries abstained.
By the third round, Odinga was eliminated after maintaining 21 votes, while Youssouf increased his tally to 26 votes. With no other candidates remaining, Youssouf needed 33 votes to win outright, or the election would have been delayed for one year.
In the final round, Youssouf secured the necessary 33 votes, making him the next Chairperson of the AUC. His victory marks a diplomatic win for Djibouti in a leadership transition within the African Union.
Source, Addis standard
